Instructional Specialist

Homework at Our Lady Star of the Sea Miranda

At the beginning of 2024, we surveyed parents and students about their thoughts on homework. The results from this survey led to a change in our homework procedures, limiting the amount of time spent on homework and encouraging reading for enjoyment and learning through life experiences at home. The Tell Them From Me survey, completed at the end of 2024, indicated that, on the whole, students and parents were happy with these changes.

Recent Research:

• Professor John Hattie (May 2024) discussed evidence indicating that while homework may benefit high school students, it offers little to no academic advantage for primary school children. He emphasised the need for primary schools to reconsider the necessity of homework for younger students (see link to ABC article). 

• A 2024 article from the Raising Children Network highlights that involving children in chores fosters family cohesion and has benefits for school performance (see link to article).

   

• Research led by Macquarie University (November 2024) demonstrated that reading to children from birth significantly boosts early literacy skills. The study revealed that by age three, children who were regularly read to had larger vocabularies, better letter and word recognition, and used more complex sentences. This early exposure to reading fosters a lasting interest in literature and learning (see link to The Australian Article).

These studies highlight the importance of considering the quantity and quality of homework assignments, taking into account students' wellbeing, family dynamics, and the potential negative impacts on student engagement and learning outcomes. They emphasise the need for a balanced approach to homework that aligns with students' developmental needs and fosters a positive learning environment.

Simple tasks like contributing to household chores help children acquire valuable life skills. A trip to the supermarket, for example, provides real-world learning opportunities in mathematics, problem-solving and communication. Additionally, interactive games such as Scrabble or card games played with parents can strengthen literacy, numeracy and strategic thinking skills.

To balance academic reinforcement with well-rounded development, we recommend the following homework guidelines:

• Kindergarten to Year 2: 10–15 minutes per night (Monday–Thursday)
• Year 3 to Year 5: 20 minutes per night (Monday–Thursday)
• Year 6: 30 minutes per night (Monday–Thursday)

Homework Expectations at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Miranda in 2025

Please note that teachers will not be providing additional homework activities. If you are looking for extra activities for your child, we recommend the following:

• Kindergarten – Year 2: Quick recall of number facts (5 and 5 make 10)
• Years 3–6: Quick recall of times tables
• All Years: Additional reading for enjoyment, card games & participating in household activities. 

Thank you for your continued support!

Miss Matilda Raper

Instructional Specialist